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Best
Top Pick: Buddy’s Best
The right shampoo can help dogs suffering from itchy skin find relief. Buddy’s Best is that shampoo.
It’s an alcohol-free shampoo/conditioner containing only vegan products that moisturizes, conditions, and soothes itchy skin quickly, without costing a lot of money!
Every once in a while, dogs find themselves in messy situations.
Your dog may dig holes in the backyard or run around in a muddy park.
My Maggie’s coat acts like a sponge when it’s wet outside, which means I need to bathe her a lot.
I’m sure plenty of other dog owners feel the same way, but it’s even more challenging to bathe your dog when they have sensitive skin.
Sensitive skin prevents dog owners from washing their pups more than once a month without making their dogs feel completely uncomfortable.
You might think the only solution is to avoid bathing your dog altogether, but there are more options at your disposal.
I’ve picked out the best dog shampoos for dry skin so you can try them out and see what’s best for your dog (also, see which shampoo dog groomers use).
You may find some you haven’t tried before and find a new way to help make your dog comfortable when they’re in the bath.
The Best Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
There are plenty of dog shampoos out on the market that were designed for dogs with dry skin.
Here are a few of my favorites and why they make a difference for so many dogs who leave the bathtub itching and uncomfortable.
A tight budget may make you feel nervous about trying a new shampoo, but Burt’s Bees oatmeal shampoo could solve your dog’s skin issues.
It soothes, moisturizes, and softens skin after just one wash for quick and noticeable results.
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What I Liked
You’ll love this shampoo because:
It’s sulfate and paraben free
It’s almost half the price of other leading brands
Oatmeal, beeswax, and honey are all-natural and tear-free ingredients
It’s pH balanced and Veterinarian recommended
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What I Didn’t Like
A few people have noted that this shampoo:
Isn’t safe for puppies
May not have a strong scent (though it is free of added fragrances)
Is thinner than other shampoos
May be hard to wash out thoroughly, depending on your dog’s coat
Recommendation
Burt’s Bees for Dogs is a great option for dog parents on a budget because it targets dry skin with safe and soothing ingredients at basically half the price of its competitors.
If you’ve got an itchy dog and don’t want to spend a lot, this shampoo is definitely worth a shot.
When you feel like you’ve tried every shampoo in your local dog store or you want to buy the best money can get, look for a bottle of Earthbath’s oatmeal and aloe shampoo.
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It will immediately calm inflamed or dry skin and work its magic long after your dog dries off.
The best thing about this Earthbath shampoo is that it is safe enough to use everyday (like when Maggie finds a mud puddle EVERY DAY for a week).
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What I Liked
This is a great formula for dogs with sensitive skin because:
It contains aloe, which promotes cellular healing
It’s alcohol, paraben, and phosphate-free
It’s safe to use daily
It’s not tested on animals, biodegradable, and the runoff is safe for plants and animals
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What I Didn’t Like
This shampoo may not be right for your dog if:
You want a perfume effect after the bath
Your dog needs a deep clean after romping through mud
Your dog loves to lick at shampoo with a strong scent
Recommendation
People trust Earthbath when they bathe their dogs because they make a high quality product.
If you have a constantly dirty, constantly itchy dog, this would be my choice for a daily dog shampoo.
Has a touch of tea tree oil, which organically stimulates natural skin cell hydration
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What I Didn’t Like
Before you try this product out, you should know that:
Tea tree oil can cause allergic reactions in some dogs
It has a strong fragrance
Some bottles have a weak seal and may leak
Recommendation
As long as you watch your dog carefully after their first bath with TropiClean shampoo, this is a safe and skin-friendly way to help your dog heal and recover from irritation and inflammation.
It cleans and conditions your dog’s skin without any ingredients that could bother their allergies.
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What I Liked
A few notable things about this shampoo are:
It uses organic ingredients like olive oil, shea butter, and chamomile
It doesn’t contain any dyes, alcohols, or parabens
It has rosemary extract, which encourages hair follicles to produce natural oils again
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What I Didn’t Like
This shampoo may not be what you’re looking for if:
You need a budget-friendly product
You want a shampoo with a strong scent
You need something to get rid of persistent odors
Recommendation
When it comes to hypoallergenic shampoos, Rocco & Roxie’s makes a great option for dogs in need.
It’s an excellent way to give your dog a bath with shampoo that eliminates all potential allergy triggers, so you can give them a safe and comfortable wash.
Dry skin is an irritating health issue that can affect dogs of any age.
There are many reasons why it occurs, so consider these skin irritants and see which your dog may have come in contact with.
Allergies
Just like humans, dogs can have seasonal allergies affected by the time of year.
Your dog may be allergic to pollen or other allergens produced by the environment during the spring and fall.
Dogs can also get dry skin if they have an allergy to their food or where the protein in their food was derived from.
Talk with your dog’s vet to see if their food may be an irritant, and discuss options to find a better source of kibble for them.
Grooming Products
You may have taken your dog to the same groomer for years, but that doesn’t mean that they’ve been using the same products the entire time.
Your dog may be sensitive to the shampoo or conditioner the groomer switches to, as well as any scented sprays used after they’re dry.
Some shampoos have chemicals or alcohol in them that strip natural oils from your dog skin, which are essential for keeping your dog skin hydrated and healthy.
Call your groomer and ask about which products they use.
They’ll help clarify any questions you may have so you know exactly what’s being used on your dog when you drop them off.
Dietary Issues
Your dog jumps at the chance to eat their dinner every night, but are they getting everything they need in a nutritional sense?
Their kibble may be delicious, but it could like nutrients that they needed depending on their health situation.
Many dogs have dry skin because their kibble lacks omega-3 oils that regulate the health of their skin[1].
They can get this in fish-based kibble or even tuna fish straight from the can. You may also find treats that are based in omega-3 oils.
If you choose to start giving your dog more food or treats focused on fatty acids, start very slowly.
The oils can upset the digestive tract and cause symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting if given too much at one time[2].
Symptoms of Dry Dog Skin
How can you tell when your dog has dry skin?
You can look for some common symptoms that most dogs have when they’re itchy and uncomfortable.
Check your dog’s skin and look for signs like:
Itchiness
Dandruff
Scaling
Redness or inflammation
Hair loss
Your dog may itch at one spot throughout the day or a lick themselves frequently.
Licking is also a sign of dry skin and is a cause for concern if they’re doing it more than a couple times per day.
What to Look for in a Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin
There are a few things to keep an eye out for when you’re looking for dog shampoo that will help your dog’s dry skin.
Run through this checklist and compare to any products you have in mind to see whether or not it’s the right shampoo for your dog.
Skin Soothing Ingredients
Your dog is experiencing itchiness, dandruff and other symptoms because their skin is inflamed.
They’ll get the fastest relief from a shampoo that’s designed to soothe irritation.
Aloe vera is an excellent ingredient for this since it’s known to heal skin after things like sunburn and eczema[3].
Oatmeal is also known to be good for dry skin.
It’s commonly used to stop itching caused by chicken pox.
When it’s ground into a powder, it balances the skin’s pH levels and reduces irritation[4].
You’ll get an organic solution for a problem that nature can help you solve.
No Alcohol
You may not realize it, but alcohol is in many products and can dry out human and animal skin[5].
It’s commonly found in shampoos, including those meant for dogs.
The presence of alcohol quickly dissolves other ingredients without affecting the product’s usefulness, but can be harmful to those with sensitive skin.
Like Buddy’s Best, Rocco & Roxie’s hypoallergenic oatmeal shampoo is alcohol-free because it’s made for ultra-sensitive canine skin.
It’s one of the more expensive brands, but it’s worth it when you’re trying to avoid such a common ingredient.
When used regularly, it nourishes skin cells and acts as a protective barrier against allergens or irritants[6].
It moisturizes long after your dog has dried off and enjoyed a post-bath nap.
A product like 4Legger shampoo solves a few problems at once. Your dog will enjoy all the benefits of topically-applied coconut oil and you won’t have to watch them afterwards.
When people massage coconut oil into their dog’s skin, it leaves a strong scent that dogs like to lick off.
The shampoo reduces this scent without taking away any of the skin-healing qualities of the coconut oil.
You and your dog can relax after they bathe with shampoo from 4Legger.
Conclusion
Although any of these shampoos could help your dog, Buddy’s Best is still my number one choice.
You can’t beat its natural, hypoallergenic ingredients and the inclusion of oatmeal and aloe vera.
Try these shampoos out at home to see if they’re the sensitive skin relief your dog is looking for.
FAQs
What Is Good for Dogs With Dry Skin?
The best solution for dogs with dry skin is a hypoallergenic shampoo.
Those will often contain ingredients such as oatmeal, aloe vera, or vitamin E, which all encourage natural skin hydration and healing.
Will Coconut Oil Help My Dog’s Dry Skin?
Coconut oil has been proven to moisturize and heal dry skin.
It can be applied topically or by using a shampoo based in coconut oil.
How Can I Soothe My Dog’s Itchy Skin?
The fastest way to soothe your dog’s itchy skin is to use an irritant-free shampoo.
You’ll cover their whole body at once and can talk with your vet about further options after your dog becomes more comfortable.
Top Pick: Buddy’s Best
Your dog jumps at the chance to eat their dinner every night, but are they getting everything they need in a nutritional sense?
